Spine stretcher



June 9, 1942.

J. w. COLE SPINE STRETCHER Filed April 22, 1941 Patented June 9, 1942 UNHTED stares osri cs SPINE STRETCHER James W. Cole, Dallas, Tex.

Application April 22, 1941, Serial No. 389,705

1 Claim.

This invention relates to medical and surgical appliances and it has particular reference to an appliance for stretching the spine.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an appliance whose construction is such that it may be conveniently and comfortably adjusted to the head, with a portion thereof underlying the chin and another portion underlying the occipital whereby an upward pull upon the appliance will be equally distributed and will separate the vertebrae of the spine to relieve pressure of the vertebrae on the interposing nerves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified of economical manufacture, especially designed for individual use in the home for stretching the spine to relieve nervous tension resulting from sedentary pursuits or from other causes.

Another object of the invention is to provide for its adjustment to conform to heads of various shapes and sizes.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invent-ion has particular reference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of parts which will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an appliance constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the side opposite that shown in Figure l, and

Figure 3 shows the invention applied.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, the reference numeral it denotes a strap comprised preferably of woven textile fabric and at points spaced from its ends a, the strap is turned upon itself obliquely along lines I) so that the lower portion or ends a of the strap will be disposed at an angle with respect to the major axis of the middle portion thereof. By thus shaping the strap, the middle portion, identified at 0, will overlie the top of the head, as illustrated in Figure 3, while the ends a are overlapped under the chin, as shown.

Connected by means of rivets II at a point spaced from one end of the strap 1 B is a narrower strap [2 of the same material, whose free end is passed under the overlapped ends of strap Ill and secured by means of a buckle, or its equivalent, [3, the latter being afiixed adjacent the opposite end of strap by a tab I4, held by rivets ii.

In order that the pull exerted on the strap l0 will be in direct alignment with the spinal column, a second narrow strap it is provided to underlie the occipital or base of the skull. This strap has one end secured by rivets IT to strap ill at one fold therein, with its opposite end retained by buckle it carried by the tab i9, which latter is secured at the opposite fold to strap ID by rivets 2i After the appliance has been adjusted to the head in the manner exemplified in Figure 3, a strap or cord 2| is looped under the strap H) at the top and passed over a bar or like structure (not shown) above the head of the subject, who is preferably in a standing position. The subject then holds the head in a relaxed position while exerting a moderate pull on the end of the strapoverreaching the overhead structure which centers the pull directly over the spinal column. It is apparent therefore that as the pull is transmitted to the appliance, such pull will be equally distributed to the chin and rear portion of the skull to concentrate over the spine. By thus stretching the spinal column, the nerves will be relieved of vertebrae pressure and much nervous discomfort from many causes is alleviated.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claim is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

An appliance arranged to be adjusted to the head for exerting a longitudinal pull upon the spine, comprising a strap folded obliquely upon itself at points spaced equidistantly from it ends, means for retaining the folded portions against displacement, said strap having its ends overlapping to underlie the chin point of the wearer, a second and narrower strap having one end afiixed to said first strap adjacent one end of the latter and extending across the overlapped ends of said first strap, means to adjustably connect the end of said second strap adjacent the opposite end of said first strap, a third strap having one end affixed to said first strap at one oblique fold and to the companion oblique fold by adjustable means whereby to underlie the back of the wearers head and means for supporting said first strap above the wearers head.

JAMES W. COLE. 

